Flint water crisis draws local and regional news media attention as the extent of water contamination comes to light

Flint water crisis draws local and regional news media attention as the extent of water contamination comes to light

Number of Flint water crisis-related stories identified in the local/regional and national news outlets studied

Local/regional media

National media

Oct 1

Genesee County issues public health emergency

Dec 14

State of emergency declared in Flint

250 stories

Jan 2

City of Flint issues warning that water contains high levels of toxic byproducts

200

Sep 25

Flint issues lead warning

Oct 16

Flint reconnects to Detroit water

150

Feb 3

Gov. Snyder approves $2M for water system improvements

100

50

0

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

2014

2015

2016

Note: Data represent stories identified in local, regional and national news media and were retrieved from LexisNexis and ProQuest News & Newspapers databases. Local and regional news media include daily, weekly and alt-weekly newspapers in the Flint and Detroit regions, as well as the digital outlet MLive.com. National news media include national newspapers and TV network evening programming. For a full list of news outlets, see the Methodology.

Source: Pew Research Center audit of local, regional and national news coverage of the Flint water crisis, Jan. 5, 2014–July 2, 2016.

“Searching for News: The Flint Water Crisis”

PEW RESEARCH CENTER

Flint water crisis draws local and regional news media attention as the extent of water contamination comes to light

Number of Flint water crisis-related stories identified in the local/regional and national news outlets studied

Local/regional

National

Dec 14

State of emergency declared in Flint

Oct 16

Flint reconnects to Detroit water

250 stories

Oct 1

Genesee County issues public health emergency

200

Feb 3

Gov. Snyder approves $2M for water system improvements

Sep 25

Flint issues lead warning

150

100

Jan 2

City of Flint issues warning that water contains high levels of toxic byproducts

50

0

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

2014

2015

2016

Note: Data represent stories identified in local, regional and national news media and were retrieved from LexisNexis and ProQuest News & Newspapers databases. Local and regional news media include daily, weekly and alt-weekly newspapers in the Flint and Detroit regions, as well as the digital outlet MLive.com. National news media include national newspapers and TV network evening programming. For a full list of news outlets, see the Methodology.

Source: Pew Research Center audit of local, regional and national news coverage of the Flint water crisis, Jan. 5, 2014–July 2, 2016.

“Searching for News: The Flint Water Crisis”

PEW RESEARCH CENTER

Flint water crisis draws local and regional news media attention as the extent of water contamination comes to light

Number of Flint water crisis-related stories identified in the local/regional and national news outlets studied

Local/regional

National

250 stories

F

D

200

C

150

E

B

100

A

50

0

2014

2015

2016

A

Jan 2 City of Flint issues warning that water contains high levels of toxic byproducts

Feb 3 Gov. Snyder approves $2M for water system improvements

B

Sep 25 Flint issues lead warning

C

Oct 1 Genesee County issues public health emergency

D

Oct 16 Flint reconnects to Detroit water

E

Dec 14 State of emergency declared in Flint

F

Note: Data represent stories identified in local, regional and national news media and were retrieved from LexisNexis and ProQuest News & Newspapers databases. Local and regional news media include daily, weekly and alt-weekly newspapers in the Flint and Detroit regions, as well as the digital outlet MLive.com. National news media include national newspapers and TV network evening programming. For a full list of news outlets, see the Methodology.

Source: Pew Research Center audit of local, regional and national news coverage of the Flint water crisis, Jan. 5, 2014–July 2, 2016.

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.